Midland Bluebird Limited Volvo B7RLE/Wright Eclipse Urban
Not long for this world….
Shortly before the sale of First Scotland East to the McGill’s Group, First had been ‘updating’ the Midland fleet, replacing older buses with marginally newer Volvo B7RLEs. It included buses such as 2265 (MX56AEA) which was numbered 69192 under First. The Manchester registration reveals that this was a former First Manchester bus, which passed to Rotala owned Diamond Bus North West, when it acquired part of First Manchester. First allowed these buses to be used on loan by Rotala to allow it time to source new buses. Those new buses subsequently secured, the loaned fleet was returned to First, who promptly distributed amongst its fleet.
Most of these Volvo B7RLES went into various fleets as training buses but some, such as this bus, went into front line service, which probably says a lot for the state of the Midland Bluebird fleet at the time.
However McGill’s has now begun the update of its newly inherited fleet, which will see a number of former First buses withdrawn. With the introduction of new electric buses in Inverclyde, it’s set up a series of cascades which will see more modern diesel buses move from McGill’s. This has now started with Volvo B7RLE/Wright Eclipse 2s, Mercedes-Benz Citaros and Alexander Dennis Enviro 200s moving across, all of which retain McGill’s livery at present.
An article in Coach and Bus Weekly this week (W/C 5 March 2023) also reveals that 20 Alexander Dennis Enviro 400s, new in 2012 to London, are under refurbishment, losing their central doors, and will enter service shortly, these being the first buses to wear the new Midland Bluebird and Eastern Scottish liveries.
Midland Bluebird Limited Volvo B7RLE/Wright Eclipse Urban
Not long for this world….
Shortly before the sale of First Scotland East to the McGill’s Group, First had been ‘updating’ the Midland fleet, replacing older buses with marginally newer Volvo B7RLEs. It included buses such as 2265 (MX56AEA) which was numbered 69192 under First. The Manchester registration reveals that this was a former First Manchester bus, which passed to Rotala owned Diamond Bus North West, when it acquired part of First Manchester. First allowed these buses to be used on loan by Rotala to allow it time to source new buses. Those new buses subsequently secured, the loaned fleet was returned to First, who promptly distributed amongst its fleet.
Most of these Volvo B7RLES went into various fleets as training buses but some, such as this bus, went into front line service, which probably says a lot for the state of the Midland Bluebird fleet at the time.
However McGill’s has now begun the update of its newly inherited fleet, which will see a number of former First buses withdrawn. With the introduction of new electric buses in Inverclyde, it’s set up a series of cascades which will see more modern diesel buses move from McGill’s. This has now started with Volvo B7RLE/Wright Eclipse 2s, Mercedes-Benz Citaros and Alexander Dennis Enviro 200s moving across, all of which retain McGill’s livery at present.
An article in Coach and Bus Weekly this week (W/C 5 March 2023) also reveals that 20 Alexander Dennis Enviro 400s, new in 2012 to London, are under refurbishment, losing their central doors, and will enter service shortly, these being the first buses to wear the new Midland Bluebird and Eastern Scottish liveries.